Sign up today for Post Pro Picks, The Post's free, weekly NFL pick 'em game, where you can win great prizes, form groups to play against your friends, see how you fare against our experts or just play for fun. Register at http://washingtonpost.com/pro-picks

Kiper on Redskins' quarterback situation and the draft

Because of the gamesmanship involved (i.e. lying) during draft week, no doubt some around the league heard Bruce Allen say Monday that quarterbacks are still in play for Washington and immediately removed the Redskins from the draft's quarterback sweepstakes.

Time will tell whether the Redskins are sincere in their interest for Oklahoma's Sam Bradford -- or if they have the ammunition to make a play, but they could very well take a shot. We'll be listening closely for more chatter the next couple days to see if a quarterback might really be in the Redskins' plans, and how exactly they might choose to pursue it.

What seems clear thus far: Most analysts agree that Bradford will be off the board at No. 1, and the Redskins should concentrate on taking a left tackle at No. 4. We told you that Mel Kiper Jr. recently discussed the Redskins at length, and here he is addressing the team's quarterback situation.

In Dan Steinberg's D.C. SportsBog, Mike Williams says an offensive line can change for the better.

More rules?

Mike Shanahan has new rules for the Redskins (no double parking, for instance). The Redskins Tailgate Zone asks what other rules should be adopted. Matt "Bobby" McFarland likes the idea of eliminating celebrations after routine tackles.

Let me be the first to say it's about time to cut out celebrations after a tackle. Maybe if you really plant the ball carrier to force a punt, but save your energy to do your job. If you are on D, it's your job to tackle.

Steinberg has an interesting column today on Shanahan's rules and how they're affecting the team. He actually names some of the players who made the quotes. Not a single "team source" or "one player." I don't think Steinberg will last long on the WaPo with this way of writing.

The AP's Joseph White asked if this wasn't a contradiction, talking about trust while also keeping a list of players who break various rules. "Just the opposite," Shanahan said. "Just the opposite. What you have to do as a head football coach is you have to make people accountable. That's my job. It's also their job to understand what it takes to help this organization be successful. And my job is to make sure that everyone's accountable to each other....The reason why you do have rules - and we don't have a lot of rules - is to make them, everybody, beat to the same drum. And if you don't, usually you're not very good."

One interesting twist though. What I pasted above is from the website and it names the reporter who asked the question. In the print edition of the paper they replaced his name with "a reporter asked."

5. Okung isn’t a franchise left tackle
Teams like Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung, but he’s not a nasty mauler with great upper body strength. And he’s not consistent. When teams describe him in relation to other offensive tackles, he always comes in a clear notch below the Cleveland Browns’ Joe Thomas(notes), and some think he won’t even be a left tackle in the NFL. Not exactly what you want to hear if you’re drafting in the top five and want a Pro Bowl anchor on the left side.

Said one personnel man, “Okung is the consummate pro and a good soul, but ultimately that guy would be nice around 15 through 19. When you’re talking about the single digits [with Okung], people are concerned about that.”

6. Williams is actually the most highly skilled tackle available
Like Okung, Trent Williams of Oklahoma is not overly nasty, either. But he is extremely athletic, and teams think he could sustain that even if he got into the 320-pound range. He’s got great balance, great feet, good arm length and has at times punished defenders with his hands. Essentially, he’s got a maximum amount of tools and ability to work with to become a true franchise left tackle.

Said an NFC source: “If you’re just looking at skill, and take away all the other stuff, he’s far beyond Okung. [Williams] has much more skill and athleticism. He’s definitely a left tackle and he could also play right.”

"Wow...WaPo sure is trying to get some mileage out of that one Kiper interview..."

Cokeheads call it 'cutting it up to get more out of it.'

You put it on a mirror, and chop it with a razor about a billion times, and then triple the amount you have.

Or so it seems that's what they did with the Kiper interview.

(INSERT image of very alert and numb Moe with white powder around his nose, rolled up dolla bill in hand, watching Kiper blather on and on and on and on and on and on and....about what we already know.)

Red, I know that NFLN and ESPN are running "Schedule Release Specials" at 7 tonight, but I would bet that some of the highlight games will trickle out on PFT and a couple other places before that. I know last year a few teams had the schedule posted on their websites a few hours before the shows aired.

Moe, I'm not sure if I should congratulate you for overcoming such a bad habit or give you grief for doing so with the aid of RI...seems to me, RI would drive more people TOWARD drug addiction than helping overcome it, but to each his own. I'll offer the congrats since it seems like the right way to go.

"The defensive line seemed to follow the offensive line’s script, piling up the injuries all the way through the season. Defensive end James Hall is slated for free agency and it’s unlikely he will return. With most, if not all, the defensive tackles expected to return next season, the only real need is at defensive end."

So, Fat Albert plus our four for their one - we get Bradford. Lots of whispers around...

I read that thing about Okung and Williams earlier this morning on Yahoo. Man I am confused now, one minute they say Okung is a sure thing, now he's not a franchise LT. I sure hope they get it right.

Posted by: FedorEm | April 20, 2010 8:08 AM

I wouldn't worry too much about it...seems to me that a number of GMs will talk a guy down in the draft to help ensure he's on the board when they pick. And it seems like Robinson is basing his whole Okung-smearing on the word of one GM. Considering I've also heard the argument that Okung is the "sure thing" pick at LT and Williams has both a higher level of potential AND a higher possibility to bust, it seems to me the assertion that Williams is the better player is far from set in stone.

Said one personnel man, “Okung is the consummate pro and a good soul, but ultimately that guy would be nice around 15 through 19. When you’re talking about the single digits [with Okung], people are concerned about that.”
Posted by: Ejayraptor

This personnel man is an obvious idiot. There's no way Okung could be the consummate pro....He's hasn't played professional football yet....

SonofNero, moving up to get a QB after trading two picks to get a QB would above and beyond insane. If Bradford falls to #4, then there's a tough decision to make...to go out of your way to get him is lunacy at its worst.

SonofNero, moving up to get a QB after trading two picks to get a QB would above and beyond insane. If Bradford falls to #4, then there's a tough decision to make...to go out of your way to get him is lunacy at its worst.

Posted by: brownwood26

I totally agree, brown. Just saying, though, there's lots of chatter about it this morning in the media. Prob all smokescreen bs, but still...

Said one personnel man, “Okung is the consummate pro and a good soul, but ultimately that guy would be nice around 15 through 19. When you’re talking about the single digits [with Okung], people are concerned about that.”

I don't remember the exact numbers, however RO had very impressive bench press numbers where as TW had just over half the pumps of RO. Nasty????? I do not remember Chris Samuels being nasty but he carried that responsibility conisisently every year for his whole career. Get OK and we will be OK at that position for years. Go Skins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't remember the exact numbers, however RO had very impressive bench press numbers where as TW had just over half the pumps of RO. Nasty????? I do not remember Chris Samuels being nasty but he carried that responsibility conisisently every year for his whole career. Get OK and we will be OK at that position for years. Go Skins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: changer2 | April 20, 2010 8:45 AM

Two things:

1) Switch to decaf.

2) When you say things like "TW had just over half the pumps of RO", expect to hear someone say "that's what she said". So...

New Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan says the team plans to keep all three veteran running backs—Willie Parker, Larry Johnson and Clinton Portis.

"Give them all the ball," Shanahan said. "Can’t do it at the same time, but when you have three backs—it’s very rare that you have just one back that the one back plays in all 16 games. So to have three backs, it’s going to make all three of them better and it’s a matter of time, but all three of them will help us."
More from Sporting News: NFL Team Reports: NFC West

The Raiders have strong needs at QB, DT, DE, and S/CB. Skins should offer the following: Campbell, Haynesworth, Carter and Landry, in exchange for Oakland's 1st and 2nd round pick (8th and 39th respectfully). Skins should draft as follows: #4 Okung, #8 E.Berry if available (if not then Iupati OG), #39 (if we get Berry @ #8) Jon Asamoah OG (if we get Iupati @ #8) then either Nate Allen S or Chad Jones S. Note: Oakland has Langston Walker OT 6'8" 366lbs (he is servicable for 2 more years). We can add depth at OLine in later rounds. If Suh drops to #4 we must take him and pick up either Okung, Bulaga, Williams or Davis for the OLine. If this happens we will win the East and make some noise in the playoffs for years to come.

From east coast Florida. I just heard the sonic boom from the space shuttle. It must the approval from on high. It could be true. IT COOULD HAPPEN. Go Skins!!!!

brown, yup, however the only way that you'll miss it, is if the Skins trade back. 10 minutes per pick, starting at 7:30, should be ok at 9 when the office starts....I'm hoping to miss most of it, because the skins have dropped back two or three times, and recouped most of their picks.....

I agree with the sentiment that moving up in the draft to take Bradford is a bad idea. First of all, if the Rams are not convinced that Bradford is worth taking at 1, then let them take someone else, and
Shanallahan will have all kinds of options at 4. This is precisely why they've been expressing interest in taking a QB -- so that the Bills, Seahawks, et al, will trade up. This is the most attractive option b/c the Skins can still get the LT they want and they can stockpile some picks.

Texas Ranger: [after Ricky asks him about his day] Well, the teacher asked me what was the capitol of North Carolina. I said Washington D.C.
Cal: Bingo!
Ricky: Nice.
Texas Ranger: And she said 'No, you're wrong.' I said 'You got a lumpy butt!' She got mad at me and yelled at me, and I pissed in my pants. And I never did change my pee pants all day, I'm still sittin' in my dirty pee pants.
Cal: I wet my bed until I was 19. There's no shame in that.

To me the Redskin needs are LT and franchise QB... in that order. McNabb bought the Redskins two years.. one if he doesn't sign an extention. But the only way the Skins pick a QB at #4 is if they have another way to get a LT. Seems to me other than drafting Okung the Skins best option is getting Jerod Gaither from Baltimore. Now Balt wants a 2nd round pick which the Skins doen't have BUT would they trade him for Hanyesworth??? IF the Skins could work that and IF Shanahan thinks Clausen can be a franchise QB (Bradford will be gone).. Then it could make some sense drafting a QB with 4th pick.. but there are a lot of if's to be answered first...

All signs point to Clausen at #4....just think about it!!!! All this talk about moving up and taking Bradford, sliding back to get more picks, staying and taking Okung!! Not much has been said about taking Clausen......very large smokescreen!!!

You obviously have not played big time college sports, or been close to anyone who has. The amount of time and expectations that the coaches place on you is staggering, and you can absolutely find out how "Professional" a guy may project by the way he handles it.

jcnjcnj,
Let me explain something to you: The phrase "consumate pro" is a figure of speech. It refers to the the fact that Okung approaches the game of football seriously. You're an idiot if you didn't understand that.